Read the excerpt from a speech made by President George W. Bush in September of 2008.Good evening. This is an extraordinary period for America’s economy. Over the past few weeks, many Americans have felt anxiety about their finances and their future. I understand their worry and their frustration. We’ve seen triple-digit swings in the stock market. Major financial institutions have teetered on the edge of collapse, and some have failed. As uncertainty has grown, many banks have restricted lending. Credit markets have frozen. And families and businesses have found it harder to borrow money. We’re in the midst of a serious financial crisis, and the federal government is responding with decisive action. We’ve boosted confidence in money market mutual funds and acted to prevent major investors from intentionally driving down stocks for their own personal gain . . .Our economy is facing a moment of great challenge. But we’ve overcome tough challenges before—and we will overcome this one. I know that Americans sometimes get discouraged by the tone in Washington, and the seemingly endless partisan struggles. Yet history has shown that in times of real trial, elected officials rise to the occasion. And, together, we will show the world once again what kind of country America is—a nation that tackles problems head-on, where leaders come together to meet great tests, and where people of every background can work hard, develop their talents, and realize their dreams.